Because of worries about China’s use of technology for military objectives and concerns about national security, Washington has launched sanctions aimed at Chinese tech businesses.
DJI, a Chinese drone manufacturer that leads the world’s consumer drone industry, said that it was suing the US Department of Defense. The business claimed that Washington had “erroneously” placed DJI on a blacklist of Chinese military companies.
Washington has apparently been closely monitoring it in recent years due to its involvement in the surveillance of ethnic minorities in China, and DJI drones are said to have been heavily utilized by both sides in the conflict in Ukraine.
“On October 18, DJI filed a lawsuit to challenge the Department of Defense’s (DoD) erroneous designation of the company as a ‘Chinese Military Company,'” according to a statement provided to AFP.
In 2022, DJI was listed by the Pentagon as a Chinese military-affiliated company.
After attempting to “engage with the DoD for more than sixteen months,” DJI, which was founded in 2006, said it had “determined it had no alternative other than to seek relief in federal court.”
“The DoD itself recognizes that DJI produces consumer and commercial drones, not military drones, and that DJI is not owned nor directed by the Chinese military. The business stated on Saturday that DJI is a private enterprise and should not be mistaken for a military organization.
Because of worries about China’s use of technology for military objectives and concerns about national security, Washington has been enforcing regulations against Chinese tech businesses for years.
“Aiding Russia”
Citing national security concerns, the US Commerce Department this month decided to prohibit the sale of cars with Chinese technology that can connect to other devices or the internet.
In the meantime, export controls on semiconductor manufacturing machinery are meant to keep China from obtaining sensitive materials that might be utilized in advanced weaponry and technology, such artificial intelligence.
The largest manufacturer of consumer drones in the world, DJI also produces a sizable portion of the premium unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) sold worldwide.
Global recognition has been given to its UAVs for their quick developments, which have propelled the usage of drones for everything from aerial photography to filmmaking, crop dusting, search and rescue missions, and public safety applications.
The Ukrainian government said in 2022 that DJI had assisted Russia build the AeroScope system, which Moscow allegedly used to direct missiles.
The business vehemently denied allowing Russia to exploit its goods for military objectives.
DJI said in April 2022 that it was going to temporarily halt operations in Russia and Ukraine in order to “internally reassess compliance requirements.”
